Feedback from our client.
“I have recently had my father's bike restored with Bells bikes. The bike is a Humber Beeston Clubman Sport
I found dealing with the Bells team an awesome experience. They were great to communicate with. The work on the bike was amazing - restored to it former glory and looks great. Attention to detail was outstanding.
Sadly dad passed away during the bike restoration so the work bike became particularly important to us as a family. The Bells team were respectful and sensitive to our needs at that time
Overall brilliant work lovely team amazing bike restoration” - Lin Coleman
1948 Humber Beeston Clubman
Built for the Club Cyclist
In the years immediately following the Second World War, British cycling experienced a resurgence in popularity, driven by the growth of touring and club riding. Manufacturers responded with a new generation of lightweight bicycles, and amongst the most desirable was the Humber Beeston Clubman.
Built using Reynolds butted tubing and distinguished by its elegant frame details, the Clubman was aimed at ambitious riders seeking a machine that combined performance with refinement. Alongside equivalent models sold under the Raleigh and Rudge names, it represented some of the most advanced lightweight bicycle design available from Britain's largest manufacturer.
The Restoration
The objective was to return the bicycle to a specification faithful to the original model while preserving the features that made this particular example unique. The frame was refinished in the distinctive periwinkle blue polychromatic finish used by Humber during this period, carefully matched using surviving evidence from the original paintwork.
Decals were recreated from original references, while considerable research was undertaken to source the correct replacement components. This proved particularly challenging, as many parts fitted to the Clubman range were unique to the model and produced in relatively small numbers. The original single-speed configuration was retained as an important part of the bicycle's history.
The Result
The finished bicycle captures the qualities that made the Clubman such a respected machine: lightweight construction, elegant detailing and a specification aimed at serious enthusiasts. Faithfully restored and correctly equipped, it offers a rare glimpse into the aspirations of Britain's post-war cycling community.
Today, surviving Clubmans are seldom encountered in such complete and accurate form, making this an important example of one of Raleigh's most distinctive lightweight designs.
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hello@bellsbicycles.co.uk
0203 355 0108